Opponents fear to many questions still unanswered

The town of Erie could approve 13 new oil and gas wells near a dense residential section of the town Tuesday, even as some residents have said approving the wells before before the state legislature has a chance to weigh in on fracking could make Erie a destination for oil and gas companies.

The Erie Board of Trustee's are set to vote Tuesday night on oil and gas company Encana's plan for two fracking sites, one with six wells and another with seven, that are on track for installation in a large field adjacent the Vista Pointe and Vista Ridge subdivisions and just west of the Front Range Landfill.

The wells were already given unanimous approval from Erie's Planning Commission in July. The 13 sites have been in the works for nearly two years now, as Erie entered into a memorandum of understanding with Encana in August 2012.

"We've followed the regulatory guidelines to the letter and exceeded them when it comes to notification and outreach," said Encana spokeswoman Wendy Weidenbeck.

Michael Pierce, the president of the Vista Pointe homeowners association, said he sees no reason the trustees should not approve the wells.

"I know there is a lot of false information being spread by anti-fracking groups, but the science just doesn't support it," said Pierce, who used to work in the oil and gas industry. "You can't say there is no danger, because there is never a no-danger scenario in anything we do. . .But the risk is so small that it is something that is much more beneficial than the risks."

But some residents said they still have lingering questions about the safety of a fracking site so close to residential neighborhoods.

"There's still a lot of question marks that still exist, whether it is increased seismic activity or air quality or water quality," said Brian Sutton, who lives in Vista Ridge. "I think those things need to be looked into first. We have a ton of kids in this neighborhood. . .Their safety should come first."

Joy Valania, another Vista Ridge resident, echoed the concern.

"We don't have enough information and not enough independent studies to prove without a shadow of a doubt that this is healthy," Valania said.

Valania also pointed out that Gov. John Hickenlooper recently pulled several fracking measures off the November ballot and formed a commission to make recommendations to the Legislature on ways "to minimize land-use conflicts that can occur when siting oil and gas facilities near homes, schools, businesses and recreational facilities."

Valania said Erie should not take any action on fracking issues until the commission — which includes Erie Mayor Tina Harris — can take a closer look at the issue.

"I don't think that there is any need for the town of Erie to grant a permit at this juncture when the state itself is looking more broadly at the issue," Valania said. "I think they need to take the wait and see approach, so they are at least on the same page with the rest of the state."

Valania said she was concerned that approving the wells now would mean Encana's sites would be grandfathered in, even if the state were to pass stricter rules on fracking sites in residential areas. Valania said she felt the decision could make Erie friendlier for oil and gas companies, than families.

"Erie can make decisions that grow the town or they can make decisions that put us in a less reputable light where it's not a place people want to be and raise their families," Valania said. "It does set a course of direction for Erie, and I hope that our elected officials do the right thing."

Sutton said he asked Encana at a recent hearing if it would be "reasonable," for them to wait for the state commission, but the company said it would not. Sutton thinks the likelihood the wells don't get approved is low.

"I think as soon as the planning commission gave the OK that was carte blanch, and this will be the final nod," Sutton said. "I think (the meeting) will get heated and passionate, but it seems like the decision has already been made."

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